Take a Break!

Whether it is in-person school, online school, or working, providing the brain with a break periodically can help improve focus and decrease frustration. It can help clear the mind and reset oneself for the upcoming task. Younger kids should do brain breaks about every 20 minutes while older kids and adults can wait until around 45 minutes.

Brain break ideas:

-Body scan: While laying or sitting down, with eyes closed, focus on how your toes and feet feel. Tense? Loose? Move up to your legs to see how they feel. Now, focus your attention on your stomach, chest, back, shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, and head until you have worked your way up your entire body checking-in with each part.

-Happy memory: Using all of your five senses, think of a memory that brings a smile to your face. Where were you? Who was there? What did it look, sound, taste, and smell like? How did your body feel during that time?

-Gratitude: Name 3 things for which you are grateful, and say thank you to them. For example, “thank you trees.”

-Deep breathing: There are many different ways to do deep breathing as illustrated by these printable cards: brain break breathing

–This Reading Mama has brain break ideas for those that prefer a little movement.

Independence & Creativity

Social distancing and summertime. As we continue to spend more time with our families, we might feel our children “need” us to fill their time. However, allowing them time to themselves to facilitate the creative and innovative part of the brain, can help strengthen their independence and leave you feeling a little less overwhelmed.

P.S. Alone time does not have to mean device time.

Give it a read [or a 12 minute listen]! Let Kids Occupy Themselves

“Allow” – a poem by Dana Faulds

There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream, and it will create a new
channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in—
the wild with the weak; fear,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes.

————————————————————————————————————————————

There are things in life out of our control.  A virus sweeping the world reminded us of that fact.  Every day is a new day to choose how we are going to show up for our life.  If a whole day is too much to focus on, choose to look at the next hour or even fifteen minutes.  Focus on yourself and what you can do during this time including acknowledging for what you are grateful, choosing a joyful thought that brings a smile to your face, and even whether or not you make your bed : )

What is Within Your Control During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Perfectionism & Shame

49 Calming Phrases

This is an incredibly helpful tool!!!  Print it out to keep on hand.

49 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child